Life Through Noor-e-Fiza’s Lens

Today we have Noor-e-Fiza a very talented Photographer.Her pictures superlative in her honesty, range from spontaneously captured reportage to exactingly prepared conceptual portraits, exquisite in their delicate intimacy, but also often deeply visceral in impact.

Interviewer: Hey Noor, hope you’re doing good and thank you for taking some time off from your busy routine.

Noor: Well, firstly I just wanna say thank you for wanting to interview me and being super sweet about my photography.

Interviewer: What made you want to be a photographer & what were some of the challenges in starting out?

Noor: It’s been almost 4 years since I got into taking professional photos before that I used to just take pictures of anything I found fascinating. I got my first camera when I was 15 and I used to take photos at family gatherings, events at school, portraits of friends and just random landscape. When I was starting out as a photographer I was at a very beginner’s level and in Pakistan, we already had a whole market filled with pro photographers which made it hard to attract anyone, although I have noticed with practice and time anything you want can happen! I’ve always had many up and downs whilst doing photography that in 2014 I totally stopped doing it because of the normality and the growing number of photographers. It just made it so common and unattractive. Although since late 2016 I have realized that I do miss taking pictures and I shouldn’t stop pursuing what I love and am so passionate about, so since November it’s just been me and my camera. Making sure I get my style from my pictures.

Interviewer: Tell me when you started this whole thing about your journey & passion for photography.

Noor: I started Photography in the year 2012 which I discontinued in 2014 because of the issues I was going through as I explained above but since last year I’ve started taking pictures of my friends and people who are interested all over again and it makes me really happy because for some people it’s work but I just love doing this so much, recreating ideas and bringing them to life, it’s like a photograph is a magic.

Interviewer: Is it important for you that your work is not just for an art audience, but builds bridges to a wider audience?

Noor: I feel like photographs are a portrayal of your art and work both meshed together. It totally depends on the mindset of a person to what audience they want to target. For me, I have always wanted my work to be recognized just for the fact that I am very passionate about what I do and I try to stay away from the typical and mainstream pictures. I like to think I can easily portray my ideas into the photos and make them recognized by others internationally too.

Interviewer: Is there someone you’ve always wanted to photograph?

Noor: YES Aah, I have always wanted to photograph Jerry Maestas. He’s one of my favourite photographers and it’s just that he inspires me to take photos and his work is just so beautiful that it would be a dream to work with him at least once.

Interviewer: When working with big names – and big egos – how much do you have an idea of what you want and how much do you have to bend to them?

Noor: Honestly, I always go with a mindset and a plan in my head for what I want to do and the type of photos I want to take although there are some people that do come with their own ideas and want to twist and turn my plans that’s all part of your work and you’ve got to learn how to work around it and get comfortable with the idea.

Interviewer: You have many amazing images in your large body of work. Would you mind talking a little about your recent work?

Noor: First of all thank you! Secondly, I used to do everything from babies to landscape to portraits but since I’ve restarted my work and page I have realized my prime focus and attraction has always been portraits and editorial photos. All my recent work is the high end fashion or totally simple portraits.

Interviewer: Any advice to upcoming new photographers.

Noor: Go with whatever makes you feel comfortable and never give up on your passion just because of its growing popularity or people bashing you. Do you and make yourself your own person.

Interviewer: What attracted you to begin a career as the photographer & why do you feel this is the ideal profession for you?

Noor: My passion grew every day and my friends never stopped encouraging me and telling me that I should consider doing this professionally, I honestly never took any of them seriously up until my mother started telling me how I was getting better day by day. I feel like one should take up a profession that doesn’t burden them and just has fun with it. I have never had a shoot that I haven’t enjoyed doing each and every single one has been as amazing as the other.

Interviewer: Tell me about your education.

Noor: I am a student at the moment, studying in my 2ND year of university doing Bachelors in Business Management.

Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you had a really bad day but had to shoot that night. How did you get through it?

Noor: I usually try to keep my personal and work life as two separate things so no matter how I am feeling, whether it’s sick or bad or just annoyed but if I have made a commitment on the day I keep my work was very professional even if I am shooting one of my friends. It does get hard sometimes but with time it gets better, I guess.

Interviewer: Teamwork and the ability to work with large numbers of people is important in this role, how do you cope working within a large team & why do you think teamwork is important?

Noor: Teamwork is important in every situation I feel like we’ve been learning how to work with a large number of people since we have been in school. It show’s how we can work in different situations and if we are able to handle them time from time. I can work in teams but sometimes it gets really hard to handle large groups that can later get frustrating.

Interviewer: Motivation is important within the photography profession. What would you say is your motivator currently & how do you remain positive and focused on your role?

Noor: My mother is my current motivator or actually always has been. She not only tells me how proud she is that I am doing something I love but also the fact that she keeps up with everything I am doing and gives me feedback telling me how I am doing just keeps me going. I guess no one can always stay positive but the vital thing is that one has to stay focused and on the goal sort of mind set otherwise it gets really hard to achieve what you want to do or that’s what I think at least.

Interviewer: How do you like to be managed & what sort of management style gets the best out of you professionally?

Noor: I don’t like to be managed or bossed around I feel like I want to do work my own way at my own pace and style which is not everyone’s cup of tea but that does not matter. You should always keep yourself comfortable and think of how you can work better and positively.

Interviewer: Thinking back over your career to date, what has been your greatest accomplishment as a photographer?

Noor: I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone but one of my favourite photographers and literally my spirit animal @BrandonWoelfel liked and commented on a few of my recent shots. The fact that he saw my work and liked it makes me really proud of myself and I was high key over the moon.

Interviewer: Since beginning your career tell me about a situation that has made you proud. Why was this and what was the outcome?

Noor: Honestly just being able to create photos that are my client’s ideas and make them happy. It makes me the happiest when they are satisfied with the end result and want to work with me again.

Interviewer: Who is your role model?

Noor: I don’t necessarily have one role model or the other I just have a few inspirations that do make me wanna take pictures and their work leaves me in awe always. They include Jessica Kobiessi, Abdullah Haris, Derrick Freske, Brandon Woelfel and Jerry Maestas.

Interviewer: How would you manage a stressful or difficult situation at work?

Noor: I literally would call up my best friend and just vent to him about the whole situation. Usually, I feel much better when I have shared my problem although I get no solution mostly, haha.

It was great to know about you, Noor. Fab Asia wishes you Good Luck for your upcoming projects and thanks to you for being the part Fab Asia.